"Cant get you out of my head.."

".. boy its more than I dare to think about."

It’s Kylie’s signature song which I can totally relate to now like..

1. for the 1st couple of days after submission, I woke up & felt – what a surprise!!!- I don’t have to think about Dddy anymore (at least for the time being!) but: Oh!! The emptiness that lies ahead….like ah-kak said: I feel you!!!
2. somebody said ‘it’ to me & I find it hard to belief. Whatever I do to deserve that? Once bitten, twice shy kan.
3. when you stay alone for the 1st time ever (it’s a long weekend, by the way) & have all the time in the world to sit back (enuf of qadha tido) & reflect, reminiscing over the year that gone by…

Didya know that…

..you cannot go to space once you’d your skin sewn up, say due to an operation or after being slashed in an attack? (insider’s info) Which bring to mind a certain would-be local (loosely defined) astronaut (already in-training). Assuming the authority gives the go ahead, what with the budgeted billions (shot into space) of course. Make us wonder at the strength of God-given body features like a simple skin!

..January (& early February) is the driest month in Penang? I’ve been told that there has been no rainfall for the past one month or so. No wonder everything looks pale, yellow and brown – the plants, I mean. As for a sample of the homo sapiens, I’ve developed rashes all over my body - arms, legs, neck etc. My scaly skin is real scary! But so syiok to scratch..hehe. I say no to moisturizer based on past experience – repeated showering & moisturizing tend to worsen the sensitive skin condition.

The Journey begins..

..PLUSELITENKVEPLUSJambatan.

You drive alone? For the 1st time ever? Nobody to accompany you?

Who? You tell me - Im alone – anak yatim kan. No boipren. Suami lagilah tak wujud.

My bros?

One said, “Sebolum pukul 8, ekau tokan pueh2! Lopeh tu, baru kau ikut limit…” Hehe..

Another offered, “Kau nak bawak keto ah ngah? Baru best..” FYI, his imported whatever-car versus locally mine – no doubt la which car win hands down. I like!

Next, ah beng said, “Kak Y kau pun bawak dari PP ke SA dah 4 ½ jam. Itu termasuk hantar kawan ke rumah dulu. Dio bawak kelisa, kau punyo enjin 1.5!!”

I take that as a challenge!!

S'wang 652am - Jambatan 1052am (my 1st try)

(And I think, my bros are all rock!!)

P/s: He visited me y'day with just a 3hour drive from SA - another challenge I take it??

Many thanks to all those drivers who gives the 'wink' which eventually saved me from being pull over @ a road block somewhere before Trolak exit. Alhamdulillah.

I'm ready for...

..love
Oh dddy, I'm ready for love
Ready for love
Oh dddy, I'm ready for love (spoof version)

"Now I'm on my feet again
Better things are bound to happen
All my dues surely must be paid
Many miles and many tears
Times were hard but now they're changing
You should know that I'm not afraid
..."

(version Bad Company)
Source: From online lyric.com & Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"I'm Ready for Love" is a 1966 single by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.
____

: eh, dpt online?
: Oh ya lah kan,
: balas dendam dpt balik rumah hahahahahaha
: how are you?
A: ok ...
A: sory..
A: td lyn bende len...
A: maksu wat pa? ?
A: aloo..? ?

...

: maksu buat kerja la, tadi ada kawan dtg bincang lak
A: trrr
: so, amacam pengalaman makan nasi kawah?
: best ke tak dok hostel?
: maksu dah nak pergi XXX pada xx, xxhb insyaAllah - nak ikut? hehe
: ahad ni maksu balik kpg - ibu balik tak?
: cis, boleh disconnect pulak....sure nak layan gelpren je nih...
: sedih maksu tau...

...

A: teghok gler kene buli...
: buli tang mana? boleh buli balik tak?
A: ner de...
A: awek x on laa...
A: senior...
: depa suruh along buat apa? tiup lampu? gi kantin selalu? basuh baju? iron?
A: pumping seghatuih kali..
: Wow! Hebat tu...sure surrender lepas 10x kot?
: lagi? ada suruh nyanyi tak?
: basuh toilet?
: pernah kena denda apa?
A: ade sughoh nyanyi
: along nyanyi lagu apa? Wow- wow! mcm tak percaya lah..
A: lagu tradisi..
A: scoltt ...
: So lagu apa? Ayam den lopeh?
A: ngna abng f 5..
: scoltt tu apa? lagu Scotland? ke kena scold/tengking dek abg2?
A: scott..
A: scott..sory..
A: kt smap sane ..
: aung lang syg ke?
A: skang ngh berlaku kes..
: ha, kes apa?
: panas nih!
A: kes tumbuk..
: siapa tumbuk siapa? , kes polis tak?
A: mate berdarah...
: along tolong sorak? hehee
A: lobam sano sini..
: form1 ke?
A: pdn muke die..
: baper ramai yg kerjakan?
A: 23 oghnag...
: apa silap budak tu? kurang ajar? curik?
A: abng f5..
A: lenk alilaa cter..
A: susah nk ckp asrr..
A: saye pon de tesis gak nie..
: apa ni, potong stim je - mana bole citer half2..
: Ek eleh.....
: eksyen la kau jang...montang2 dah dok labu!
A: untok seni
A: susah arr..
A: cam oghng bodoh je..
A: nk caghi sal gaghisan..
A: xpebondoehh ..
: oklah, silalah buat kerja - jgn main game lak yo
: jgn lupa bagi extra attention/perhatian pada adik2 along tu
: kesian depa kena tinggal, takde geng
: ibu risau akmal taklalu makan minggu ni
: hehehe...tp maksu suspek dia asyik main game kot
: ok, caucincau!!!

...

A: yer maksu..
A: tau..
A: sedih dongar ..
A: maksu..
: sure rasa disayangi- ahaks!!
A: abang g ense daghi seghawaj 2 kighim slm..
A: ok..
: uwahhhh!!!! biar betoi? wakakaka
: tido tak lenalah maksu malam ni...

Hehehe..did you get my POINTs there? ...
Yes, exactly!! Oh, to be young & free again...tho' he's abt half of my age!

The other day, I was sitting down with one of my editors (tak bertauliah) when the person suddenly asked: How old are you? Blabla...you look like only 28! Muahahahaha....*kembangmontotahkaktau!*

P/s: Sorry abt my nephew's language - that's the juvenile lingo nowadays esp if you're from n9. Not that I'm tryin' to 'corrupt' him or anything...

Im leavin...

...on a mav-plane
definitely I’ll be back again
Oh ddd, I can’t wait to let you go...(my spoof version)

...
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
And close your eyes
I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave you alone
About the times, I won't have to say

Oh, kiss me and smile for me (Everybody!C'mon..)
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause Im leavin on a jet plane

(Jewel/Aerosmith's version is the best-est!)

Leaving on a Jet Plane
Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" is a song written by John Denver in 1967 during a layover at an airport in Washington and recorded by the Mitchell Trio that year. The original title of the song was "Oh Babe I Hate To Go" but Denver's then producer, Milt Okun, convinced him to change the title. Denver wrote the song after his flight was delayed.

Thanks to ah-kakku for a nice write-up on this so-called love & hate relationship...

Re: a certain species of mountain goat - Hahaha! I'm keeping him (still)...

It's hard to say...

..GOODBYE. *sob2x*

But yes I did - for a start, to my sifu & comrades in poc*-poco, last Sunday.

Surely I'm gonna miss the early sunday morning adrenaline rush (pergh! kelentong je lebihnya...) but be (not) still my heart coz I've with me the ori CD of Kump Poc*-poco U*M along with the name of contact person up north - sekali membawa pesanan penaja. Haha...

I would do anything for l*ve....(meat l*af)

..(But I Won't Do That)

I'm so happy today. I know, it's not appropriate at all to talk about anything else - other than raising awareness & doing all we can to help our brothers & sisters in Palestine (whether directly or in-). Some more, I've been promising myself not to blog until DDD is submitted (insyaAllah soon). But then I've been blogging nonstop in my head (wow! really!) & elsewhere (di manakah?) & promising (one or two ppl) to write updates to the previous entries (Manila Affair: he smsed quite recently- boleh saya telefon?; chance meeting with a ghost - scary!; Wedding Tales I, II and III; well, lots more! So, just bear with me...

BTW, before we get back on track: Apakah 'meat loaf' dlm bahasa ya? I've seen it some where but couldn't recall now.

Ok, catatan selepas ini sengaja ditulis dalam bahasa Melayu memandangkan 'The Power of Googling' yang memungkinkan The Intended Person (with the titled issue as above) menjumpai catatan saya di sini.

Disclaimer: The previous entry on 'In Love Again' has got Nothing To Do With Me. Obviously, I wrote it in First Person to make it more interesting. I've learn the hard way - never share your lov*(less) life online. Tu pasal, kejap2 ada entry lirik2 lagu jiwang karatlah, pastu bila break up ada pulak lagu2 syahdu merayu...boleh blah la kan! *siapa makan cili dialah yang terasa pedasnya, tak gitu bapak2 & ibuk2 sa-kalian?*

Ok, ok...back to the matter at hand.

Bayangkan sepasang 'kekasih' yang merancang untuk berkahwin. Memanglah jodoh pertemuan di tangan Tuhan tapi manusiakan perlu berusaha terlebih dahulu? Bukan ku pinta begini tetapi mereka berlainan agama. Gimana sih? Walau si lelaki 'willing to do anything for love' including uprooting himself by relocating across the continents to be nearer to her, selain daripada memeluk Islam? Ini bukannya perkara kecil yang boleh dibuat main-main. Islam itu rahmat Allah. si perempuan mungkin rasa merendah diri(?) kerna menarik seorang lagi hamba untuk dekat padaNya. Tapi mampukah dia yang sebenar2nya? Bukankah si perempuan itu sendiri perlukan bimbingan seorang lelaki yang dipanggil suami? (er, hello - ini bukan pasal jadi bos di pejabat ye!) Sia2lah Islamnya nanti kalau dianya sendiri tak terbela, di lelaki pulak...

Makanya, mohon pendapatan rakan sa-kalian yang ada membaca, mendengar, mengalami etc. permasalahan seperti di atas. Apakah patut diteruskan? Kiranya i-ya, apakah perkara2 yang perlu dititikberatkan? Gimana pula prosedurnya nanti? Apa mungkin ada isu2 berbangkit? Pls advise.

Bagi pihak yang berkenaan,
rad

In Love Again (eh, so quick one?)

Remember JAmie (RIP), JAjan, Captain JAck (RIP) & RaJAhram? Well, she did it again - for the second time in 2008, on the night of December 27th to be exact.

In concordance with my 'tradition' (coincidently B was the one who suggested all of these names): TOmmy, TOmey and TOmok. TOmot passed away after breathing outside air for less than 24 hours - suffocation perhaps? Note:I could only prepared a small box for the birthing - immediately whatever was available in the house. Mak Tom was (still is) HUGE.
---
....
A: am looking for true love
A: and i think i have found true love
: how do u define love? how do u know that u've found love? It aint easy..elusive & almost like a mirage i think!
A: when you have found love there is something in you that tells you this true love
A: and that keep telling me that you are my true love
: I dont knw A, I dont you - all of who you are yet, and I dont knw what love is
: sometimes i think you're like a poet!
A: really?
: yes, i think you're a romantic at heart- poems & poet!
A: cos am in love
A: thnks
A: and am ready to show it
: maybe you are in love with the idea of being in love?
: Love is sacrifice & lotsa compromise - you're willing?...
: what do knw abt me so far? is it enough?
A: yea
A: for now
A: till i meet you in person
....
(So what will be, will be...)
---
That is another story in-the-making. Intrigue? Tell me, what would you prefer for the ending? Happy? Or sad? None at all?

Wedding Tales (coming up next after the break..An important tagged-advertorial 2row!)

This is just a teaser (to further whet your appetite!):

LOVE IS IN THE AIR (John Paul Young)

Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes

Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea

And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
Don't know if I feel sane
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when you call out my name

(Chorus)
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Public Announcement: O - Hear ye! Hear ye!
1. (To ah-kak)
rad has not YET submitted her thesis, much more had her viva. so, the previous 'request minor revisions' refers to an article (out of the three essays she works on) meant for publication in a journal which had earlier been rejected *sigh* more than once but somehow she and the co-author had persevered and worked laboriously to revise and improvise so finally what a relief it is to be able to say, "there's hope still!" and thus the journey to The End continues....

2. (To UL)
Thank you for your gentle reminder regarding the dating site(S). But, (in Britney's breathless voice or was it Gwen Stefani?) "I'm having so much fun!!!!"
The key operative word is FUN (& never, ever taking other people for a ride - honest!). I'm forever reminded & indebted to my Utmost Responsibility! If only writing an article is as easy as writing a blog entry....*sighagain*

3. (To dlt)
Tu la pasal, kalau dah ngadap pc 24/7 - sure tersasul/terlajak langkah jugak la kan? Aritu bz dgn fb la, geni la, my yearbook la, even friendster (my nephews dah catch up on me! Erkk!!), dll yg sewaktu dgnnya. Lani...kasi chan lah ok? Citer hantu tergantung? Hehehe...ada jugak yg baca ye? Ok, since you asked for it - I'll post the ending JUST FOR YOU! (Awww!) but much later ok? Coz suspen gile babas sampai i termimpi2 mlm tu...jeng3x!!

4. Coming up next: Wedding Tales (part I) - Debaran 26th December)....Duda anak dua *gulp!*

If you know what I mean..

Lotsa things are happening but I prefer not to share everything this time.

I've been dutifully enlisted myself (invited by concerned friends) in a few local dating sites with surprising outcomes. HahaHAHAHA!!!!

I know, I know - Im supposed to concentrate on DDD but any kind of diversion is pretty much welcome now. Just for the fun of it! (And making new (scary) friends)

Re: "If you know what I mean..." - I find it confusing really when somebody said that...like implying a priori info which I might (or not) have!

Good news, and there're bad news

"Request minor revisions" is a good one! Great in fact!! *happy2 morning! Though I'm still trailing behind schedule & wouldn't be able to meet the latest deadline!

But, one of my colleagues - the one who was caught on plagiarism ages ago (not yet viva stage) was given the final 'NO'. By the newly minted Datok Pr*f as int*rnal examiner, according to my sources.

Another (missing) couple was given the status of 'progress with warning'. Straight from the mouth of the Advisor. Great (financial & motivational) implications eventually, sort of.

Sentiasa berdoa, insyaAllah.

Updated!

Do check out below for the Manila Affair (Part I only).

P/s: Bz ya amat nih tapi perasaan membara utk update!

Inter-frame: Meeting A Ghost (Part I)

Reached home considerably late that Tuesday night. (After attending a day-long roundtable discussion, I felt guilty of neglecting my DDD so I was very much obliged to stay back and did some work.)

I rushed home, parked & locked everything and ran upstairs breathlessly only to say this to B:

me: B, you wanna know why I'm late just now? *sweating, panting & trying to take deep breaths*
B: Ha, why?
me: I met a ghost!!!!!!
B: HA??! Ko jgn nak nakutkan aku, dah la malam2 ni...


It was like this:

You know right that the (postgrad) office is situated at one end-corner of the U-shaped building? In level 5. So, at around 840pm when I, the so-called Last Man Standing (uh-uh! perasan lebeyy..), decided to close shop for the day - a peek at the window revealed no one else around (after all, it's already semester break lor). However, the lights were on at the corridors.

Since I need to reach home by 9pm (coz KuMil*kmu was on that weeknight), I wasn't paying much attention to my surrounding - need to lock the office quickly & drive fast! And I walked fast too. During the quietness of the night, even my foot steps sound loud. Normal.

Just when I was getting to the end of the corridor (before turning to another corridor where the elevator are situated), suddenly I heard this sound of somebody's crying...

Mind you, it was loud & clear. My mak used to say, 'nangis merugu'....(Huhuhuhu..) You know, the female adult-type when you cried & at the same time trying to say things?

My only thought at that time was: I really needed to get home.

If I were to turn around & barricade myself inside the office, I will never get home that night. At the same time, I wasn't too surprise since one of my colleagues (she and hubby used to stay back till 1pm last time) had told me of 'lintasan', 'things passing by', 'feeling of a certain presence' ...esp after the clock stroke midnite!!! But then, takkan la hantu kot? It's not yet 9pm!!




















Jeng3x!!!!










(Wanna guess what happen next?)

A Hero & A Klutz

A hero, he is. And yes, I’m such a klutz!! Confirmed.

Fast forward to the return journey last week. B picked us up and dropped me & him right in front of the gate at V’s place, where I parked my Mav. I was on the front passenger seat, ready with the house key in my hand to save precious time. The key was loosely attached to my pen-drive; so those constituted my second (next to the wallet) most precious belongings during the travel (as in if anything happen, like it was lost or stolen, there goes my slides for presentation & keys for mav & to the other house, office room etc.)

So, I got out confidently (read: quick & fast) with the key still in my hand only to catch a glimpse of the so-called pen-drive (with the lanyard trailing behind) arching up in slow motion (detached itself away from the house key) and: Lo & behold!! …choose to drop itself ‘strategically’ of all other places on the vast acres by the road side on that small (only 3x2 feet?) piece of permanently fixed metal contraption which covered the drain on the tarmac area in front of the gate & slipped between the metal bars to go down way, way below. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Him being a gentleman, without further ado or prodding by me, knelt by the metal contraption & tried to fish it out.

Lucky it wasn’t a big monsoon drain, but still it was dark & watery inside (let’s just assumed the water ain’t dirty at all to save you the gory details!).

After quite an effort by him, with the help of a re-constructed hanger, broom’s handle etc. – he plucked it out for moi!

Oh, how I thank him again & again & again……

My Saviour & A Whirlwind Affair of Manila

(Sorry..hehehe..only got time for the title - for now!)

Updated:

The guy came to sit beside me while waiting for boarding call, after a group of ladies went off. I wasn’t too keen on talking to him, after all he’s stranger. “Mau ke conference di Manila? Kok kita sama-lah gitu…”
Maybe he noticed the paper (academic not newspaper ok) that I was holding & pretending to read.

I can’t remember what exactly happen after that (no further talk) due to the confusion (gate changes) during boarding call for another flight, to Menado (I’ve checked the info: it’s far off to the east side of Borneo Island – best for diving). Somehow he was in front of the line and thus when I came on board, he’s already waving for me to join him. Since there’s no other better choice, not that I knew anyone else, I let him put away my bag & sat down only to discover the horror that awaited me. (refer previous entry)

----
What makes me decide the way I did?

Well, even though I’m travelling alone, I’m supposed to meet The Other Person (TOP) later in the evening at the conference hotel. TOP and others in The Unplanned Contingent were taking the More Reasonable Hour of Noon flight by M*S, with the fare paid from People’s Coffer. (I was worried too about the fact that I was to bunk with this Other Person. What if I snore? Talk in my sleep (both B and V can attest to these facts)? Will I get less in terms of …? Alas, the so-called problem resolved itself. He he..lagi mau explain ka? Well, I am early to bed, early to rise kind of person. The Other Person lagilah early, so…*keepingmum&lipssealedtight*
___
However, here was the logistics:

The Diamond Hotel is in Manila Bay area. The airport for Low Cost Carrier-Budget Traveller-Poor Students like moi is situated a ‘short’ distance away (M*S land in Ninoy Aquino airport which is only a real short distance to the hotel), unlike the 2 ½ hour bus ride (Philtranco specifically caters for AirAsia’s passengers) from Pampanga aka former US airbase aka Clark aka Diosdidos Macapagal airport (official name), taking into account the traffic conditions (getting a free city bus tour in the bargain – lotsa sexy billboards – melopong den!) since we’re like: going wide across the city! The bus fare cost 350 pesos to the last bus station – actually there is only a middle one: SM Megamall short stop (to drop off passengers) for 300 pesos. From the Pasay bus station to the hotel was another matter altogether – a chat with a local nice guy revealed an estimated figure of 500-600 pesos.

So, I was thinking that at most I needed to borrow around 1000 pesos from him. If the wallet was totally gone (redha), I can always borrow from TOP in order to pay him back & put aside the same amount for the return journey. And pay TOP only once I’m back, safe & sound in homeland. I’d no worry over food & accommodation – after all it’s a 5 stars hotel konon! And I wasn’t required to pay a single cent! Oh, forget about buying souvenirs then….

----
And there came my hero!! He was So Kind, offering to buy me food or drinks in-flight (eventually I sat behind him, beside two balik bayan Pinoy who must have thought that I was calmly-weird since I asked the whereabouts of the hotel (that I’d be staying) what with lost wallet, no money or credits and all…). But then, I was so worried inside such that (like I said earlier) nak telan air liur pun tak lalu!! He (the Indon, not the Pinoys who worked in Kulim Park in a backbreaking cement factory – no Rags to Riches story there) reassured me time and again….I’m forever indebted to him!

----
Towards the end of the bus ride, after Pasay & I already shared my delicious-canned chilli-tuna sandwich with a Chinese guy from Malaysia (he, Pak C, had to decline my offer due to an upset tummy), talked to another Pinoy guy – who work as a carpenter in Brunei (hohoho…rad the shyster/pemalu is no more!) I discovered that there were other Malaysians on-board. There was an Indian lady – she commuted quite often (to and fro), especially to attend to the church service over there – like bayar nazar or something, so she said! There was a group of Indian businessmen (quite old, some with wifey) on a pleasure trip, one of whom asked whether I’m from Kedah: Uh? Do I look like one? Is it like printed on my forehead? The Chinese guy was merely accompanying his girlfriend – also to the same conference! There were quite a couple of others who already dropped off at the SM Megamall stop since they’re staying at a relatively cheaper hotel – Bayview hehehe…There’s also another balik bayan Pinoy, a lady who speak an obviously Malaysian English from Penang who has the kindest bos ever who makes money from only selling water! So her job is to put on the labelling…(Note to self: Must get into water-bottling business soon)

The best part is yet to come!

The Unthinkable Drama Unveiled

What followed immediately after I reported (more like asking for help!) my loss to one of the flight attendant on hand was a 200+m dash to the terminal building since I told him that I might have dropped it during the bag-scan process (Mistake #1: Never like to zip in my handbag. So there’s the possibility that the handbag turned sideway during the short trip on the conveyor belt & thus it was dropped behind). It took too long to wait for the buggy ride. I had to carry my backpack with me, and wore sandals with heels too. Use your imagination. BTW, he already asked me to check inside my backpack.

Once we reached the terminal building (a quick scan of the boarding area showed nothing) & rushed off to the scan area & quickly asked around, there’s nothing over there. The officers in-charge told us that if anything was left behind, they must have noticed it immediately, using the x-ray machine. By that time, I wasn’t so sure of anything anymore. Was it possible that it was stolen/pickpocketed? But the handbag was always in front of my body, within my eyesight.

The flight attendant was really worried too & asked me lots of question, “Are you travelling alone Ma’am? All of your money are inside the wallet? Credit cards too?!!” (Mistake #2: Never put all your money in one place. But really, I did think of putting some money inside my jeans but…)

All these while, please remember that the flight was ready to take off (after boarding & refuelling) so I do not have much time to think. If I were to make a police report (plus to cancel the cards etc., assuming it was lost), then I have to go out & miss the flight (unthinkable as I’ve committed myself to be present!). “Yes, you have to make the police report outside. Do you have your passport with you?” That was the deciding factor for me. Another mad dash to the waiting plane & I finally secured a seat. But not before I asked the Indo guy (who just talked to me earlier while waiting for boarding), “Pak, could you please lend me some money? Do you have enough pesos?”

Once he reassured me that yes, he had the money, I settled down for the 4-hours flight by tracing my steps back to the last time I saw the wallet.

Since it wasn’t dropped during the the scanning, not stolen or pickpocketed, when was the last time did I hold my wallet?

(The wallet is actually brand new, a couple of weeks ago. B gave it to me since she saw my money just laying around everywhere inside my handbag/pockets – too enticing to be seen. I do owned a (black market) Chanel (in case you think Im too stingy or tangkai jering! hehehe..) purse but never feel comfortable using it since I’m lefthanded & it feels kinda awkward taking or putting money inside. I’ve been forever using a simple coin purse for my shillings & card holders for credit cards & such. The night before the journey, I got organized, rearranged everything (took the above pix) & planning to take only the wallet with me; containing only the credit cards, USD, pesos & ringgits. I thought of putting some money inside my jeans once I’m already dressed up. Awg (who had been there before) already advised me on this & I did think of wearing a chemise with an inside pocket (like the one for hajj/umrah & I did use it for the Beijing trip last time. Alas, with my nomad lifestyle (bajus lost here & there) – it’s nowhere to be found.)

A-ha! That must be it – when I paid for the toll charge!
It must have slipped away from getting into the handbag on my lap & I didn’t check or see anything @5am. We still didn’t take off so I surreptitiously send a sms to my driver: If wallet inside car, pls pas to Dr. (more on this later)

But I remember that somewhere after the toll, she (my chauffeur for the day) slowed down a bit & asked me to re-open & close the passenger door on my side due to some noise – door not closed properly. OMG!! What if the wallet was on my lap during that time? It should have easily dropped on the road with the momentum of the moving car.

Oh!!

That was when (up in the sky) I decided to let go, pasrah, redha with whatever happened so long as I reached my final destination. Hilang duit pun hilanglah….

Maybe I’m not a bad person after all coz Allah sent down His help in the form of that Indo guy (My Saviour - next installment). Alhamdulillah & MasyaAllah.

Intermission

Imagine this happening to you:

You got on the plane, put the bag up in the above compartment, sat down & ready to settle down for the 4 hours journey only to realize, "My wallet!!!! WHERE IS MY WALLET?" OMG!!!!

*The one & only wallet with all my credit cards, US$ cum pesos & RMs!!!*

Yes, I couldn't even believe it myself at that point of time, "This can't be happening to me!!!"

TragediOktoberNovemberRainDecemberSongsJanuariFebruarySong

Disclaimer: Entri ini tiada kena mengena sama ada mereka yang hidup atau mati, terutamanya kehidupan peribadi sesiapapun.
(I sure hear V asking, “Perlu ke statement ni?” Ahaks!)
Didedikasikan khas untuk Jiwa-jiwa Yang Mengerti.
(fuh! Kelas tak?)

Ever wonder: Are we all living in a sad, sad world?

Just look at all these thematic song (based on ‘Intensive Factual Research’ on the Net for ‘month-song’) (“raddddd! Have you got nothing to do?!” Trust me - I can hear YOU screeching!!)

Anyhow..

Let’s start with October, shall we?

Tak sanggup lagi aku
Mengenang kisah lalu
Keganasan menghantui diriku

Biarkan ia pergi
Menjadi suatu misteri
Bagaikan tiada hati yang peduli

Tak mahu ku ingat lagi
Apa yang telah terjadi
Tragedi Oktober (Aw*e Wings)
...

Then continue with a cold, wet November,
...
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain (G*ns n Roses)
...

Move on into dreary December,
....
December promise you have unto me
December whispers of treachery
December clouds are now covering me
December songs no longer I sing (Coll*ctive Soul)

And start the year with,
...
Dengarkan...
Dengarkan lagu... lagu ini
Melodi rintihan hati ini
Kisah kita
Berakhir di Januari (Gl*n)

On the month of lovers awaited for:

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes
Opens his eyes (Josh Gr*ban)
...

March til Sept – Now, it’s your job!

Take home lesson for today: Be merry, be happy.

P/s: Im bored to death. Looking forward to 'balik kampong' this weekend, really hope to see one of my ex(es) (his name is Chr*stian or in real fact, J*richo Rosales). You see, last time I was His Ara (in Sanay wala...hehe)! I still remember rushing home daily for Our Dates.
Awang advised me (re: blk kpg trip), "...there are Beautiful Ppl everywhere.."

Jatuh Hati

Hehehe...apsal terlebih2 rajin pulak hari ni.

Jangan risau Tuan2 & Puan2 se-kalian, saya cuma nak promosi buku-buku ni:

Travelog Haji - Mengubah Sempadan Iman
dan

Travelog Dakwah - Meniti Hari Esok

oleh Prof Muhd Kamil Ibrahim (MKI)

yang menulis blog: Kehidupan Ringkas Tapi Signifikan

Yang membuat saya jadi tertarik pada asalnya pastilah perkataan 'Signifikan' - sungguh signifikan maknanya untuk mereka yang P(enderita)hD! Tak kisahlah pada aras keertian 5% ke, 1% ke...Ha ha

Yang menjadi 'siulan' harian saya apabila Prof MKI menulis dalam buku Travelog Haji -pun ada menyentuh pasal PhD: "Ada juga yang tidak tamat walaupun 'kelihatan' berusaha dengan bersungguh-sungguh. Ia perlukan rahmat Allah."

Hati saya tersentap dulunya (pertama kali bersua Ogos 2008); ampunkan saya Ya Allah (ikut style Prof MKI).

Yang terbaru dalam Travelog Dakwah - Prof MKI mencatat berdasarkan pengalaman: "Belajar di peringkat PhD memberi peluang untuk kita mengenal Allah (sic)."
Sebelum itu, " ..peratusan mereka yang tidak menamatkan pengajian bagi tempoh 1984-2000 berada di antara 30-35%..."
(Apa-kah?)
"Mereka adalah golongan bijak pandai yang tidak sepatutnya gagal."

Walau bagaimanapun buku Travelog Dakwah yang terkini di pasaran (Terbitan Pertama 2009, signed by the author (the power of blogging huh!), Pos-Expressed) bukanlah tentang PhD sahaja. Nak tau lanjut? Kenalah baca.

Ini merupakan sebahagian daripada maklumbalas saya (selaku antara ramai pembaca yang 'manja') kepada Prof:
Buku selamat diterima semalam (4 Nov). Rasa sedikit terkilan kerana bukunya nipis maka tak puas baca (sekali duduk dah habis)! Walau bagaimanapun, mesej Prof jelas dapat disampaikan. Menitik juga air mata - saya antara golongan yang sedikit berilmu (tentang baca Quran, puasa Isnin-Khamis, solat malam, al-Mathurat, etc.) tapi gagal istiqamah dalam pelaksanaan. InsyaAllah saya akan cuba lakukan demi mendekatkan diri padaNya. Terima kasih kepada Prof kerana 'usaha yang sedikit tapi signifikan' (pinjam kata2 Prof)!

P/s: Prof ada tulis buku: PhD kecil tapi Signifikan.... patut baca! (masih mencari)

Bukan suratan. Bukan kebetulan.

Ianya rahmat daripada Tuhan.
...
Selalukan kita berkata-kata sedemikian apabila menempuh sesuatu perkara yang agak luar dari jangkaan biasa, "Ah, nasib baik betul!" Atau, "Kebetulan pulak..." Boleh juga, "Benda dah nak jadi.."

Contoh:
Selasa lepas, dalam perjalanan pulang ke rumah, singgah di kedai untuk membeli sebotol kicap (luar biasa ni sebab (dulu) jarang-jarang sekali masak). Kedai pertama yang disinggahi, tak sempat keluar kereta pun sebab double-park (jangan buat selalu ya!) dan ada kereta lain dah menanti.

Singgah kedai runcit yang kedua (park sesuka hati tapi tidak menghalang laluan orang), segera capai botol kicap - dalam kepala dah pikir nak masak apa. Masuk kereta, nak hidupkan enjin, "Alamak!!" Penggera berbunyi. Central lock on by itself. "Apa sudah jadi?? Eh-eh, enjin pun tak boleh nak start?" Bayangkan tahap gubra-ness ketika itu. Ha, nasib baik 'ilmu' untuk matikan alarm masih dalam kepala dan teringat untuk manually unlock!

A quick call(s) to my 'lifeline-regarding-MAV' (& other standby helps) confirmed that my battery died on me! *sigh* A simple checked on the indicator lights would do.

"Ah, nasib baik betul! Bayangkan kalau terjadi di fakulti (lewat senja) atau di rumah (waktu nak masuk pejabat)?"

Dan, "Kebetulan pulak...kedai aksesori kereta pun dekat depan tu ha...(a short walk away)"

Fikir kelemahan sendiri, "Benda dah nak jadi.."

Moral of the story:
1. Dry-cell VS 'wet' battery
Dry-cell battery is maintenance free but then if you're like me who tend to forget things - it's quite risky! Bateri biasa kena check level air selalu (ditto!) & you can test/check the 'power level' too!!
2. Never asked the mechanics, "(used) battery ni ada nilai ke?" I was thinking of how to dispose it. Automatic answer, of course, "Ta-ra value la ah-moi.." So, "..you amik je lah.."
Much later, my Saturday nap was rudely waken by this 'sing-song', "Surat khabar lama, bateri lama..." My standby source said (only after the exchange), I should've trade-in the old battery (worth at least RM10!). Girls, now you know ok!
3. Allah tidak akan uji dengan beban yang tidak mampu kita tanggung. I've enough cash. I wasn't stranded by the roadside. MasyaAllah dan Alhamdulillah.